Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Eric “Ric” Olson of Sweet Home was named the Vietnam Veterans of America Mid-Valley Chapter 585 Veteran of the Year, one of several named throughout Linn County by various veterans organizations for Veterans Day.
His VVA chapter encompasses Linn County and includes members from the Salem area as well.
“I’m absolutely just flabbergasted, overwhelmed and honored that my name would even be brought for an award like this,” Olson said.
Olson is the sergeant-at-arms for the chapter, which has a membership of approximately 50 veterans. He was the representative to the national convention in Springfield, Ill., earlier this year.
He regularly drives a van to the Portland Veterans Administration Hospital for the Disabled Veterans of America. He also helps with a monthly all-you-can eat breakfast for the VVA at the American Legion Hall in Lebanon. The meal is served from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the fourth Sunday and costs $5.
He served with the 25th Infantry Division in 1969-70 and earned two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. He was awarded three Army commendations, two with a ‘V’ device for valor, and three air medals, each recognizing 25 hours logged aboard a helicopter.
“I was a grunt, a ground-pounder,” Olson said. He served in Cu Chi and Dau Tieng in the Ho Bo Woods, where he walked point for about seven months.
He later discovered that it was the most heavily booby-trapped area in southern Vietnam.
Olson was drafted, he said. “I felt that as a patriot, I had an obligation to serve my country. It wasn’t something I wanted to do.”
But when the call came, he willingly answered it, he said.
After serving, he returned and worked several jobs before moving in 1976 to Oregon where he worked for Caribous Manufacturing; Oregon Freeze Dry, which manufactured the long-range reconnaissance patrol rations he ate while in Vietnam; and Synthatech, which manufactures pharmaceutical components.
He has been married to his wife, Sue, for 38 years. They have four children, Eric Jr., A&W owner Patty Hankins, Tim and Debbie. He has four grandchildren, Emma, Julia, Eli and Lucy.
The VVA holds its regular meeting the first Sunday of the month at the Brownsville Saloon for breakfast. For information or to get involved, call Olson at 401-4639.